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Committee advances bill to re-enter Summer EBT program, citing food insecurity for children
Summary
A bill directing the Department of Human Services to apply for federal Summer EBT was advanced; sponsor said the program would provide a one-time $120 payment per eligible child across three months and could cover about 700,000 children based on prior participation.
The committee voted to advance Senate Bill 19-11, which would require the Department of Human Services to apply for the federal Summer EBT ("Sunbucks") program that supplements grocery benefits for eligible school-age children during the summer months.
Sponsor Sen. Bailey said the program provides a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child for the three summer months and that Tennessee previously participated in the pilot and in 2024 covered an estimated 700,000 children. "This reduces childhood hunger by offering a 1 time payment of $120 per eligible child," the sponsor said.
Members discussed eligibility (children already receiving EBT), the program's fiscal impact and the governor's proposed budget contribution. The committee moved the bill to the finance committee so finance can review the estimated recurring and nonrecurring costs and staffing impacts.
